So much for the boat....

Well that didn't take long, poor Jennifer hasn't even worked day 1 and she has already found a way to increase her spending .......big time. I guess the manicures, trips to the spa and Prada shoes will have a wait a few years. We're really happy. We signed the contract tonight. In about 12 weeks, we'll have the pool party. Maybe in time for Brayden's b-day?????
Everyone's invited....and no, there wasn't "enough leftover to fly everyone down".

Thank You Card

After Party

The Party!

Great to have the community pool when you celebrate with 15 of your 6 year old's closest friends. We thought it would be nice to invite his friends from the 5-5 class. It became a bit of an end of summer reunion. Many more came than expected. It really was a great time. Plus, I have to admit it was awfully nice for us to have a party so all the pre-school moms that fell for the Dad who does field trips and drops the boys off (with lots of hugs and kisses) could have one last chance to say their goodbye's before we all head off in different directions! :)

Alex's 6th ( the actual day)

The morning was a quick rip-n-tear of presents from Grandparents, Mom and Dad. For those interested, yes that is a "game boy" in the last picture. Alex has taken to video games, clearly something he gets from his mother! He'll be a Mario superstar by NewYears. "No-Friendo"
is in the house.

Overdue Garden report

I know...I know... everyone is on the edge of their seat waiting for a garden report :) Tomatoes are really good!

Grandma Arrives

Grandma Cleghorn arrived today ready to take on the grueling task of babysitting the boys for a week. As most spring and summer guests know, she was treated to a fresh fish dinner upon arrival. Tonight we had blackened mahi and cornbread. mmmmmm Yummy. Thanks to the little fishy!
Kids are excited to have another visitor and Jen and I are stoked to have the boys spending time with realtives and not sitters this week.
Jen finished her last day at the VA today. This was her senior project requirement. She finishes her intern time at the hospital on the 19th and she will be down to classes and a paper. We are all looking forward to seeing more of mommy!

We are planning a big pool party at the community pool for Alex's 6th b-day on the 18th.....Holy Cow....we have a 6 year old. This whole parenting thing is starting to get real . Not as real as the neighbor whose daughter is reading 17 magazine......Not sure our days will ever be that real!

We are also planning a graduation party on the 28th for Jen....if you happen to have some time and haven't done an upsidedown keg hit in a while, stop by!

The busy month will come to an end with a family vacation to the Midwest as we invade the Keach's condo in Chicago to spend time with Lauren, Mike and the folks. Ben may actually be in town and the boys can't wait to hang out with uncle swamp donkey. Then off to Michigan (TSUN for those Buckeye fans out there) where we are looking forward to a slow and lazy few days on the pontoon boat and some good ol'fashioned home cooking. Nancy...please pull out the chicken and dumplings!

Pics to follow...........

Boring fishing story....unless you like to fish!

Not too much new going on....I broke away from responsibility on Saturday and headed east to the deep blue with my buddy Greg. We logged 60 miles round trip and had a very enjoyable day with lots of catching. The day had a tough start coming up skunked at the pier as we threw for pogies. We headed out to lead wreck to drop sabikis for grunts and did pretty well. The director of the Zoo came out with us and was having a blast pulling bluegill size grunts from 60 feet. We pulled up when we saw 3 frigates working a scattered weedline, but couldn't drum up a bite. We stopped again on a nice temp break and the telltale signs of summer were quickly upon us, peanuts and cudas are taking down our trolling lures with a vengence. Again, it was great for Keith who rarely gets out and boated his first cuda and mahi. Nothing of size to speak of. We upgraded to larger marlin and wahoo lures hoping for a big bull or some tiger stripes, but to no avail. We messed around with a school of nuts' that were big enough to keep, put about 10 in the box before we felt bad and pulled away. I swear there were 50 small mahi under the boat just waiting for the next chunk of sardine. We could've stayed there for an hour. We headed out to 240 and couldn't hold bottom, current was cooking at 7knots. I'm not much for pulling fish up 240', but when you need 16 oz. of lead to get down to them, it takes all the fun out of it. We pulled up and hit the bottom at 90' with some small grunts. Pulled up three sharks before calling it quits. Saw a great school of Spanish just killing a huge pod of baitfish, the shearwaters were just hovering and picking off the minnows as they floated to the top. That was just one of those moments you sit and watch. Sometimes fishing is more about the theater, than the kitchen.

Figured out the video

It takes some time to download, so the files are small, but enjoy!

Bike Time

Happy 4th!

Thanks to the Armed Forces and their families for what they have done and continue to do! and....

HAVE A GREAT 4TH OF JULY

Coming soon....

Bike "riding" without training wheels. After much pushing from the little 'uns, we have removed training wheels from the boys bikes. Not sure how long it will last, but at least the first couple practice sessions have gone well. The timing has worked out nicely as Alex's birthday present has no training wheels and I'm sure he'll want to ride it on day 1. We have some work in front of us.

I have video, but haven't figured out how to put it into a format this blog supports. More to follow.